Our Shepherd’s Hut

Glamping at West Wood Yurts

Love the great outdoors? Feel like some “back to basics” family time? Tired of always being in a rush? Want to unplug the technology and talk again?

Here at West Wood we offer the chance to reconnect without the distractions of modern day life.

Think roasting mallows over a campfire, den building and exploring through the woods, spy our resident deer or owls, tell stories under the night stars, or enjoy a family picnic in the sunshine.

Simply pack your walking boots, sleeping bags and provisions, arrive, and enjoy your stress free break! With plenty to see and do, there’s no need to leave the site, but we also have a wealth of local attractions on the doorstep should you wish to explore further afield. Prices start from just £12.17 per person per night.

National Trust Gibside Admission

Entry to Gibside estate is included in your booking price.

West Wood is situated within the grounds of National Trust Gibside; for full information please see our FARM page. Our residents are able to benefit from exclusive 24/7 access to Gibside, with entry available even after the gates close to the public!

Your admission prices are included in your stay, with most organised events free of charge, though there may be some events which require booking and have a small charge. Please see our INFO page for Gibside events calendar.

National Trust Gibside Overview

Entry to Gibside estate is included in your booking price at West Wood Yurts.

Gibside is a National Trust property, showcasing Georgian grandeur on a spectacular scale. This 18th Century landscape garden is a haven for nature and the rare “Red Kite” birds of prey have been successfully established in the area.

The estate was previously owned by the Bowes-Lyon family and is most famous for the Chapel. Other points of interest on the Gibside Estate include: the Orangery; the restored stables; the Column to Liberty; the Georgian Walled Garden and the Banqueting House (owned by the Landmark Trust).

Over 15 miles of footpaths explore the gardens, riversides and woodlands encompassing some breathtaking scenery and a wondrous insight into the local wildlife. Make a visit to the popular Strawberry Castle Play Area, Discovery Learning Centre and Low Ropes Challenge, or the onsite local Butcher, Baker, Café and Market showcasing local producers and crafts.

There are numerous seasonal events running throughout the year, with something sure to capture the imagination of small and big kids alike. Please visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/gibside for further information.

Guest Reviews

Just Some of Our Trip Adviser Reviews

Our fourth visit to West Wood Yurts, but our first time in the Shepherds Hut and we absolutely loved it. The views from the decking are stunning, the weather was on our side, and the Shepherds Hut was lovely and cozy with everything you need included. On arrival we were shown inside and the various amenities explained. The Hut was absolutely spotless, as were the shower/toilets located a short walk away. A 5 minute stroll takes you right onto the Gibside National Trust Estate whilst a 25 minute walk will take you to the far end of the estate where the Beer Garden is situated and is a must do visit on a Friday and Saturday evening. This is the same area for the Market Place and Chapel. The stroll back (uphill) took us 35 minutes. Seeing the the estate after dark is another experience again.

Once settled inside for the evening, the Hut is lovely and warm with the help of an electric Log burning stove. The simplicity of use was great, but we are still undecided if we prefer the electric stove (for ease and convenience) or a real log burning stove for the sheer joy of using one. The plot has its own parking space and walled garden. A picnic table and fire pit were also provided. These were well used by using during the early evening before the sunset. Even though our visit was mid-March, we never felt cold. The bedding certainly kept us warm through the night, one of the nicest quilts I’ve ever had on a bed! Would highly recommend this for a couples escape, fresh air, beautiful walks, lovely farmland setting and device free (although a radio is provided, as is electricity). Can’t wait to return, sooner rather than later.

We have just got back from four nights at the Yurts. It was amazing!!! I think it’s important to stress here that we are not campers. Far from it. I don’t know one end of a tent peg from another, and my partner knows even less.

We hired one of the large yurts as in our party were myself and my girlfriend, and our collective brood of four children aged six to eight. The yurt was plenty big enough for us. It is really well stocked with just about everything you could need although I’m sure, like us, you’ll still pack nearly everything you own into your car……..just in case!

From the moment we arrived the kids were off, straight into the forest, and a den was built. I saw my son once or twice during the next five days, always covered from head to toe in muck and always hungry. For five days the kids had no TV and no IPads and I can honestly say that they didn’t miss them. They just went back to being children and played outside. This allowed my partner and I to just chat and relax.

Take some beer, wine, gin or whatever your tipple is and have a couple every evening outside as the sun begins to set, and don’t feel guilty about it. The location is perfect. You have a field of sheep to one side and a field of cows to the other. At the bottom of the strip is a forest and from there you are right into the National Trust Estate. You could probably spend a week exploring here. But a must, especially if you have children, is the low ropes challenge. I can’t tell you how to find it, just head off into the woods and look for signs. Also, once the estate has closed to the public in the evening, go back in and take your kids to Strawberry Castle play area. They will have the run of the place for as long as you like. They’ll thank you for it.

I really can’t recommend this holiday enough. And I can’t really explain why it’s so good! It just is. You’ll have to go yourself to understand. There is one thing I’d like to improve…… My mobile phone signal was excellent whilst there. Is there anyway it could be blocked so that no one could contact me?!!!!!